Good evening, Tampa Bay. We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

Friday morning will be back to cold again.

Temperatures will be in the lower 30s for the Nature Coast to near 40 around Tampa.

Plenty of sun will boost temperatures to around 60 for the afternoon.

It will still be a little breezy with northwest then west winds gusting to 25 mph.

Humidity will be very low, and it will cool off quickly in the evening. 

Highs: 62

Lows: 51

Rain Coverage: 0%

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Today’s Big Stories

1. Tampa Bay Rays release new renderings of proposed ballpark at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus
The team is envisioning a domed stadium that can seat about 31,000 people.

2. St. Pete Council votes to hold off on Gas Plant work for now
Some members of St. Pete’s City Council want Mayor Ken Welch to pump the breaks on development of the historic Gas Plant district.

3. Cold weather shelters in the Tampa Bay area
Some counties in the Bay area continue to open cold weather shelters.

4. Strawberry prices could increase after cold snap damages harvesting
Strawberry farmers in our area are reporting major losses after the recent cold weather.

5. Democrats issue 10 demands for Department of Homeland Security reform
Congressional Democrats are demanding that Department of Homeland Security officers display ID badges and end racial profiling when conducting immigration enforcement operations.

6. U.S. applications for jobless benefits jump by 22,000 to 231,000 last week, the most in 2 months
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped last week but remains in the same historically low range of the past few years.

 

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

FLORIDA STATE FAIR | The Florida State Fair made its return to Tampa today, with the theme “America’s Sunniest Celebration” to honor America’s 250th birthday. Attendees can enjoy plenty of fun at the fairgrounds, including entertainment, rides, agriculture, food and more, with many new offerings this year. Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Florida State Fair.

POLK COUNTY WATER NOTICE | Polk County Utilities customers will be required to follow a once-per-week watering schedule beginning Sunday, Feb. 8, to comply with the Modified Phase II water shortage order issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) on Jan. 27. Read the daily restrictions.

BOLTS LAST GAME BEFORE BREAK | The Tampa Bay Lightning, winners of 18 of their last 20 games, host the Florida Panthers tonight at Benchmark International Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. It’s their last game before the Winter Olympics. Eleven members of the Bolts will take part in the Games. The Lightning return to action on Feb. 25 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

National Notes

Friday, Feb. 6

Monthly Employment Report
NASA Artemis II crewed mission around the moon launch window *has moved to Sunday, Feb 8th
Michael Keaton receives Hasty Pudding Man of the Year award
Post Malone headlines Bud Light’s Super Bowl concert

Florida On A Tankful visits the Tampa Bay History Center, learning about The Unconquered Seminoles. Photo by Virginia Johnson/Staff

 

The Tampa Bay History Center tells the stories of our area, starting with the first settlers.

The history center teaches about the arrival of Europeans, North Africans and more Native Americans.